Parimutuel facilities in Broward are moving forward to add slot machines, even as the
Legislature struggles with basic decisions about the type and number of slots allowed, and
what hours they'll be able to operate.
''We are full speed ahead, but also keeping one eye on Tallahassee,'' said Dick Feinberg,
general manager of the Pompano Park harness track.
Pompano appears to be closer to opening its doors than the other facilities. Owners hope to
open the slots facility by New Year's Eve.
''It's certainly our goal to be the first one to open,'' said Alan Koslow, an attorney with the
law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, which is representing the Pompano Beach track. ``The city
has been very supportive and wants us to open soon. The sooner the better.''
The cities will get at least 1.7 percent of slots revenues, under deals they made with
parimutuels before Broward voters gave slot machines a thumbs up on March 8.
The county will also collect fees from the expanded facilities to put toward the county's transit
system.
Not all politicians see it as a profit-making venture for government, however.
''Those funds are going to be earmarked to pay for more firemen, more police officers,
increased infrastructure that may accompany the operation,'' Pompano Beach Mayor John
Rayson said.
'It's not, `Oh, boy, we are going to make money off slots and kind of have a windfall.' It's
designed to compensate the city for the increase in services.''
In addition to the Pompano Beach harness track, the referendum allowed slot machines at
Hollywood Greyhound Track and Gulfstream Park racetrack in Hallandale Beach and Dania
Jai-Alai. The slots referendum failed to gain voter support in Miami-Dade County.
HE DEADLINE
By July 1, state legislators must decide how many and what type of machines facilities can
add, hours of operations, tax rates and other details.
Last week, a House committee proposed a bill that would limit expansion of gambling by
prohibiting Las Vegas-style slot machines known as Class III gaming.
This could essentially end efforts by the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes to expand their
gambling operations to include Class III slots.
The Miccosukees have been discussing with Gov. Jeb Bush their desire for expansion, and
the Seminoles sent a letter to the governor this week asking for similar talks.
BUSH PROPOSALS
Class II machines allow gamblers to bet against each other, while Class III players bet
against the house.
Bush also has suggested several limitations, including a ban on ATM machines in slot halls,
and prohibition of credit-card use for slot machines. Bush has proposed a sliding scale tax
rate of 40 percent to 100 percent, depending on how many machines are added.
A Senate committee is considering a plan that would be more favorable to the parimutuel
industry, including allowing Class III gambling.
A RUNDOWN
An update on plans for each facility:
Pompano Park: The track has submitted plans to the city for a two-story,
157,000-square-foot building north of the track.
The building would accommodate 1,500 slot machines, 30 poker tables, a simulcasting and
wagering center and two restaurants. Total cost would be more than $100 million, Feinberg
said.
Developers will meet with the city's architectural appearance committee Monday. The
planning and zoning board will have the final say April 27.
Biloxi, Miss.-based Isle of Capri, which owns the facility, will pay for the renovation. Future
development could include a hotel, resort, shops and more restaurants.
Hollywood Greyhound Track: The facility has a $90 million proposal for a concert arena,
theater, restaurants and food court. To reflect where the track is actually located, it will
change its name to Hallandale Beach Greyhound Track and Mardi Gras Gaming Center.
Later additions could include shops and a hotel. No formal plans have been submitted to the
city.
Gulfstream Park: Before slots were a sure bet in Broward, developers last spring had
proposed a residential and entertainment complex at Gulfstream Park. Plans for the Villages
at Gulfstream included 1,500 condos, shops and a 30-screen multiplex theater. Now, they plan
to change their proposal to add slots, but haven't revealed details yet.
The cost was estimated at $350 million. One of the developers, William Voegele, said he
expects to release a new plan in about a month.
City, regional and state officials will have a say on whether this project gets built.
Dania Jai-Alai: The owner has not devised a slots plan yet, and no proposal has been
submitted to the city.